World News

I hope everyone is having a great Saturday. I listen to a lot of World News in an effort to know what is going on outside of the United States. For many Americans they don't know what is going on in other parts of the world and they don't care to know. Maybe it is American arrogance to think that what happens in other countries has no real meaning or impact on us but this way of thinking is wrong and foolish.

One big story that I have been following is, "The Rise of Food Prices".

Here are links to the relevant stories on this subject:

Asian states feel rice pinch

Asian countries have been struggling to cope as the cost of rice has reached record levels.

The price of the staple crop has risen by as much as 70% during the last year, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), with increases accelerating in recent weeks.

Shortages have begun to hit some importing countries.

The cost of food: facts and figures

World Bank tackles food emergency

Is India facing a food crisis?

China's Growing Thirst for Milk Hits Global Market

One of the most important stories I saw related to this topic was about the food crisis within North Korea:

Huge Gap Predicted In Supply Of Food

TOKYO, April 16 -- North Korea is facing a humanitarian crisis this year and will likely need large food donations from the international community, the U.N. World Food Program said Wednesday.

"Major sources of food for North Korea are all going down, and there is no very good prospect that any will go up soon," said Tony Banbury, the agency's regional director for Asia.

This year's food shortfall is projected to be 1.66 million metric tons, about double the need of last year and the highest since 2001, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.


Why is that story so important?

The United States and North Korea have been locked in a long going dispute about Nuclear weapons. We now have a major tool to negotiate with! They need food and we could supply them with what they need. The question is simple, is North Korea willing to make real compromises to get the needed food?

Here are more reports about the food crisis in North Korea:

North Korea close to major food crisis: UN agency

North Korea 'faces food crisis'

Another important aspect of this food crisis is what will happen if countries desperately need food? Will they turn to war to obtain it?

I believe this is a story that every reader should be concerned about and follow carefully.

If you see a story related to this issue please forward it to me. My e-mail is tsrk30@sbcglobal.net

I welcome your comments